Murrumburrah Precinct Plan on display

30/10/2018

Hilltops Council resolved to place the draft landscape Masterplan proposed for the Murrumburrah Precinct on exhibition for public comment for a period of 28 days which commenced on Friday 26 October 2018.

Council recognised a need to undertake a masterplan for Murrumburrah over and above the streetscape plans which were prepared by the former Harden Shire Council. As part of the Stronger Communities Funding, $1 million dollars was allocated to the Murrumboola Creek upgrades and a further $350,000 was allocated to Harden Playgrounds.

A tender process was commenced for the design of a masterplan and Sala4D were awarded the contract to undertake this work. Sala4D held a number of community workshops to inform the basis for the design in June 2018. This culminated in draft designs being presented to the working party in September. The working party were generally very pleased with the concepts which are now on public exhibition. A separate workshop will be held with Councillors for their input into the plans as well as a workshop for community members to have their say.

The precinct plan will provide a comprehensive and cohesive plan for the works which are to be carried out in Murrumburrah and the Murrumboola Creek area. It will cater for an increased number of visitors expected with the arts and cultural activities happening in the area. These activities include the bronzing of Bill the Bastard, the completion of a statue of James McKay, the extension to the Museum and the placement of the Visitor Information Centre into History Hall.

“Gradual improvements have been made along the creek and the intention is that this plan will build upon those improvements and make Murrumburrah a vibrant place for locals to enjoy and for visitors to stop and shop as they pass through on the Burley Griffin Way.” Said Hilltops Mayor Brian Ingram. “We want people to stop and experience the wonderful history and shopping Murrumburrah has to offer and the investment in a precinct plan will help to make that possible,” He continued.
The draft precinct plan creates a village centre that provides a strong sense of arrival and highlights the relationships between the existing businesses and major attractions including the Light Horse Memorial, Harden Murrumburrah Museum, The Old Courthouse, The Mill Site including the Federation Star and Bill the Bastard, Roberts Park, Coddington Park and of course Murrumboola Creek.
The overall precinct plan will include the area of Murrumburrah bounded by Albury Street (Burley Griffin Way) between Vernon Street and the Murrumboola Creek east of Lyons Street and to the Murrumboola Creek south of Albury Street.

General themes of the masterplan include:

· An emphasis on Murrumboola Creek by installing fish ladders which enable the water to hold at a higher level.
· Recontouring the Coddington Park area to have better connections between land and water.
· Upgrade of the play area into themed spaces for toddlers, tweens and older teenagers.
· Improved carparking.
· Walking paths to link all parts of the precinct including better use of the area under the bridge.
· A plan for the placement of the bronzed statue of Bill the Bastard on the Mill site.
· Creating a sense of entrance into the Precinct.

During the exhibition period copies of the draft Masterplan are available for public comment. All submissions in relation to the plan should be emailed to submissions@hilltops.nsw.gov.au, mailed to Hilltops Council, Locked Bag 5 Young NSW 2594 or delivered in person to a Hilltops Council Office. Once all comments are collated after the public exhibition period, appropriate amendments will be made to plans before returning to Council for adoption.